THE BETHANY LETTERJune 5, 2007 Volume 2007, Issue No. 21 |
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Lessons In Ministry In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Rev. Shari Prestemon, Director of Back Bay Mission, a United Church of Christ mission in Biloxi, Mississippi, has written some profound words about the nature of ministry. I'd like to share them with you: It was a day of sheer beauty…not just the sunny weather, but the events that filled it. On February 22, nearly eighteen months after Hurricane Katrina, Back Bay Mission staff and ministries moved out of our Katrina trailers and back into our newly restored administration and service building. Many hands made light work, as volunteers from Massachusetts and Ohio helped staff members lug the few pieces of furniture and boxes of files we'd accumulated over those relatively Spartan months. At noon, we shared a meal together, seated at scattered folding tables on a collection of mismatched chairs, a blessing of simple fellowship that somehow christened that space as holy. There were brief moments throughout the day when I was struck by a deep sense of melancholy. I thought of my first glimpse of the building's ruined interior, just a few days after Hurricane Katrina: furniture and personal mementos strewn everywhere, a stench that permeated everything, an inch of toxic sludge on the floor. I remembered the plywood we hastily scrawled with spray paint and placed against our ruined sign: "Back Bay Mission Temporarily Closed: We Will Return". And I recalled my own weak faith in these earliest days, the creeping doubt that made me secretly wonder if that sign's promise could re realized. On February 22, with newly constructed walls and the smell of fresh paint all around me, I remembered all this in gratitude for the journey we'd traveled. But the overwhelming wash of relief and emotion I had expected didn't come that day, and that left me wondering later that night. Why wasn't I dancing with joy? Why was my own response to such a long-awaited day so understated? Perhaps it was because I knew so well that it was only the first small step toward full recovery on our campus. Maybe I worried that others around me might not have understood a more emotional response. In truth, I think it was neither of those things. I hope I'd simply learned a very important lesson: a building does not make a ministry. Though buildings certainly facilitate what we do, in the end ministry is really about people and hearts and faith. It is about believing in something strongly enough that even the largest obstacles cannot hinder it. It is about feeling so pulled and prodded by God that you keep moving forward in faith, even when you have no earthly idea where God is leading you. It is being bold enough to extend love and hope when you have little else to offer, and humble enough to receive those same gifts from others. Don't get me wrong. I am thankful beyond words to have our building back. I am grateful for the progress we've made, and plans for further campus recovery are underway. But sitting here in my new office with its bare walls, I'm thankful most of all for the ministry that never left us, for the faithful work that Katrina could not steal. Thanks be to God, and thanks to all of you, for supporting and enabling that most precious thing of all. I hope these words will remind all of us of the mission that unites us in Christ's name. With Every Hope, Steve ******************** Sunday, June 10, 2007 The Rev. Mark Steiner, Guest Preacher Scripture: Romans 5:1-5 and John 16:12-15 Sermon: Where Do You Find Truth? Sunday Morning Opportunities
8:30 a.m. Worship (Fellowship)/ Donna and Tim, special music 9:15 a.m. Church School for Children and Adults 10:30 a.m. Worship/ Chancel Choir/ Children's Sunday School 11:30 a.m. Social Hour Host: Ministry Committee Adult Classes at 9:15 ~ Bible Discoveries; Lounge Class ~ Current Event Discussion; Perspectives; Seasons of the Spirit; Seekers ~ Relationships; Senior High; Upper Room
Ponca Creek Prayers The Youth Mission Trip leaves Saturday for Ponca Creek. We know that the children out there are as eager to see us, as we are to see them. They, their parents and other adults at Ponca Creek tell us that our Bible School and the friendships we share are a ray of light, a week of joy, and hope for them. Our caring enough to return each year tells them that they matter, a message they don't get in many other places. The youth and adults going on the trip have worked hard to prepare, to plan lessons that nurture faith, crafts and activities that are fun, and meals that we can all enjoy. They would not be able to do anything without the support of their wider Bethany family. Your support of their fund-raisers all through the year and your welcoming their sharing when they return, let them know that this matters to you, too. We do, though, ask for one more form of support: your prayers. Please pray for a safe journey, for hearts to open to God and one another, for patience, energy, love, joy, for our Mission Trippers and for those who we know as our Ponca Creek family. YOUTH MISSION TRIP VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE: Ali Briggs, Keith McDevitt, Tracie Stadelman, Rylee Distel, Ethan Millsaps, Jessica Tasker, Tom Gemmell, Ariel Myers, Matthew Tasker, Taylor Giffen, Tom O'Malley, Alex Wachovec, Emma Jensen, Andrew Spencer, Anna Zeller, Cody Lees, Eric Spencer, Caitlin Zeller Advisors: John Dix, Linda Goodwin, Steve Gehlert, Bill Leas, Beth McDevitt
Mission Trip Information Here are the important dates for the future:
June 9 depart for Ponca Creek June 17 return from Ponca Creek June 24 share in 8:30 & 9:30 worship
Welcome New Members Please extend a warm Bethany welcome to Ramsey, Sharon and Heather Alberson who became members last Sunday.
The Bethany Letter To save on cost associated with the preparation and distribution of our weekly newsletter, it will be mailed on the following Tuesdays during the summer: June 12, 19 July 24 August 21, 28 . . . to continue weeklyPlease send in your news articles as SOON AS POSSIBLE during the summer months. YOU MUST PLAN AHEAD! Any July activities or information must be into the office by June 15th.
The Falls Cancer Club (First Christian Church 3rd and Stow) will be having their Annual Salad Luncheon on June 14th - 11:00 to 2:00 a.m. $5.00 per person. Menu: Chicken salad croissants, specialty salads, dessert and beverages. Also, Bake Sale! All proceeds benefit Falls Cancer Club patients.Summer Worship Hours Start Sunday, June 17th 8:30 a.m. A casual informal worship service in the Social Hall. 9:30 a.m. A traditional worship service in the Sanctuary. Nursery is available (9:15 to10:30 a.m.) for children up to four years old during 9:30 worship service. Kindergarten through 6th grades will attend the worship service at 9:30, stay through the children's message and then leave for Sunday school in room 2.
SUNDAY MUSIC THIS SUMMER!! I'd like to thank you for your enthusiastic support of Bethany Chancel Choir and our music program during this past year! We've all worked very hard, and now that summer is upon us it's time for the choir to take a well-deserved rest. I know that we're all busy with our summer activities, but I'd like to strongly encourage anyone who wants to share their gift of music with the Bethany congregation to do so this summer, for one or even two services - a solo, a duet, a quartet, an instrumental piece, whatever you might come up with. Any and all musical gifts are strongly encouraged and appreciated! If you or someone you know would like to provide music for a summer service (8:30 and/or 9:30) please contact me or Beth McDevitt and we'll put you on the calendar. The only dates that have already been "booked" and are therefore unavailable to you are June 24 (both services), July 15 (second service), and August 12 (both services). All other dates are wide open at this point. Please consider helping us out - we'd love to hear what you have to offer! And have a great summer! - Judith Overcash, Adult Vocal Director
Women's Fellowship Picnic Monday, June 18th at 6:30 p.m. At the Chartons'. Bring a covered dish to share! Meat, beverage and table service will be provided.
Best Wishes to Don Evans Don ended his four-month Partner-in-Ministry internship with us last Sunday. During those four months we came to know and love him and appreciate his gifts for ministry as a preacher, teacher, and pastoral visitor. We expressed our gratitude for his time with us and wished him God's blessings in worship and shared gifts of a Bible Commentary and Communion set. We were glad that he and Marie were able to join us at the picnic. Please keep them in your prayers as Don continues his journey in ministry. You can also look forward to welcoming him back as a guest preacher when Pastor Steve is on vacation this summer.
House for Rent The Bethany-owned house, 2024 12th Street, is for rent. The house is air-conditioned, has three bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, kitchen, dining room, family room, and two enclosed porches. Rent is now $900 per month. Anyone interested should call Dick Holle or the office at 330-923-5277. Time is running out . . . There are LOST & FOUND baskets located under stairwell in the Sunday school wing. If you lost something please check at church. We will be emptying these boxes at the end of June and giving to Good Neighbors. There are a few coats left and they can be found in the hall outside the Social Hall…(e.g. a man's large red coat, and a woman's black blazer-Talbot size 10-with GM car keys still in the pocket!) VBS Help! For a successful Vacation Bible School we could use your help. Needed: Empty, clean food cans to make pencil holders (soup, vegetable, etc..) Beach towels (any size, shape, color) Beach items (balls, hats, goggles etc. to decorate!)
Thank you, Thanks to Denise O'Malley and Donna McDonald for planning a wonderful annual picnic. Thanks, also to the many others who helped with the set-up, cooking, games and clean up. Finally, thanks to the many who shared their wonderful dishes and a spirit of fellowship and fun. The weather was not the best, but the time was. Thanks to everyone who came to Bethany Night at Donato's last week. You helped our youth raise $250.00. We hope you had a good time and that you will be back to join us for the next Donato's night August 29th.
GRADUATION ACCOLADES! Christine Angelo, Bachelor's in Education, OSU Nathan Gehlert, Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling, Loyola College Kathryn Seguin, Master of Arts in Health Communication, OSU Ali Briggs, Cuyahoga Falls High School Alan Cool, Cuyahoga Falls High School Liza Giffin, North High School Lesley Malorni, Cuyahoga Falls High School Lindsay Short, Cuyahoga Falls High School Tracie Stadelman, Cuyahoga Falls High School
Remember in Your Prayers Margaret Martin, St. Thomas Hospital Bob Rowe, Akron City Hospital Albert Jensen, Robinson Memorial Hospital Harvey Koudela, Akron City Hospital Evelyn Vance, Traditions Geraldine Hunter, Briarwood Borrowing and Using Information about Bethany Building Use Bethany is our church, here to serve God, through serving one another and our community. That's why we want the building and its contents to be available for our members to use or borrow as freely as possible. Yet, good stewardship also calls us to have simple guidelines for borrowing equipment and using the building to assure that these resources will be available for our use long into the future. Here's some important basics everyone should know Building Use:
Borrowing:
Social hall tables and chairs Digital camera Power Point projector Computers or other office equipment Furniture from classrooms, gathering area, lounge, offices, or sanctuary Lawn care or maintenance equipment Church van We hope that these basic guidelines will be helpful to those who plan to use our building or borrow equipment from it.
Calendar 6/06 7:30p Spiritual Council6/07 7:30p Choir Practice 6/09 Youth Mission Trip Begins 12:00p (SH) Reserved Sunday ~ June 10, 2007 Nursery Available 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. The Rev. Mark Steiner, guest preacher 8:30a Worship (Story & Song)/9:15a Church School for ALL Ages 10:30a Worship/ Children's Sunday School 11:30a Social Hour 6/11 9:00a Quilters 6/12 NO Staff Meeting 7:15p Finance Committee 6/13 10:00a Bible Study (CE, last one until Fall) 7:30p Consistory 6/16 11:30a Bethany Kitchen (SH) Father's Day Sunday ~ June 17, 2007 Summer Schedule BeginsNursery Available 9:15 to10:30 a.m. The Rev. Mark Steiner, guest preacher 8:30a Worship (Healing and Reconciliation) IN THE SOCIAL HALL9:15a Church School for Children & Adults 9:30a Worship IN THE SANCTUARY
Volunteers ~ Names of Sunday Volunteers are published AHEAD of the scheduled Sunday as a kindly reminder & an early thank you! I f you are unable to volunteer the day you are scheduled, please remember to 1) find someone to take your place and then 2) call the church office so we may make necessary revisions.Volunteers for June 10th Greeters: Jan and Bob Charton/ Frances Eckenrode Music: Donna and Tim/ Chancel Choir Nursery: Jennifer France, Megan Ferda, Stephen Ferda Social Hour Host: Ministry Committee Ushers: Carolyn Hofmann, Herb Walker, Mary and Ralph Bowmaster, Carol and Bob Pletzer, Andrew Slota, Nancy Buck Van Driver: Jennifer France Visitor Outlook: Heather Bedillion
Volunteers for June 17th Esperanza Cup Washing: Greeters: Jeannette Allen/ Roberta and Robin Berie Nursery: Beth Lees, Jessica Shroyer Social Hour: OPEN Ushers: John Mancinelli, Mark Jensen, Sue Truby, Sharon Ward, Janice Williams, Lindsay Short, Evan Cool, Robin Berie Van Driver: Carol Frederick Visitor Outlook: Nancy Buck
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